got tickets for this Monday, November 11, in Madison Square Garden! FLoor seats, Eleventh row!! This will be my firsy Dylan show after much bullsh*tting every time he came through. THis will be an experience to remember!
Sweeeeeet, way to go. If he lives long enough to come back to Houston, I'll fork over some bux to see him live.
He never had it. I need to listen to some of his lyrics... maybe it's the meaning, but he's painful to listen to. He sounds like he's getting poked with needles at random points during his singing. So what makes you like him Zerb? Seriously.
Dylan is not without his faults. His singing is an acquired taste, the 180 degree opposite of crooners like Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra or Elvis, even. But no one has had a bigger influence on American popular music since 1965. When Dylan passes on, the nation owes him a funeral befitting the best of our artists. Whitman, Gershwin, Warhol; Dylan goes in that class, I'd say. If you don't like blues, or country, or poetry, you may never appreciate his singing. But few musicians have been as creative or intensely personal as he has.
Dylan's singing is, for some, an acquired taste. But it's one that can only be acquired naturally. If you don't like it now, you likely won't learn to from working at it. It's not about the lyrics. There are ample opportunities to appreciate his poetry through covers or just by reading his lyrics. If you don't like it, you just don't. There's a pretty good chance you will later, if you're open to it. In the meantime you might appreciate his singing just by appreciating all the singers who you'd never have heard if it weren't for him -- whether because they'd never have tried if it weren't for him or because no one'd have listened -- like Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen (though it pains me to include him) or a hundred other famous folk (from Patti Smith to Gordon Gano). Pete Townshend was once asked what sort of influence Dylan had on him. He answered, "You might as well have asked how much influence being born had on me." Dylan's Dylan because of his sense of time, the way he fits a million syllables in the space of a hundred, the simultaneous pain and humor, but most basically because he's a rock and roll singer in the tradition of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Mick Jagger or David Bowie. He has a voice like an alien. Anyone can imitate it but no one can truly pull it off. And while his words are special, it's his music (most especially his vocal melodies) that are still ahead of their time. If you don't like it, that's fine. He's got enough fans. And like I tell my friends who don't understand, don't worry about it. He's got too many songs and you've got too long left to live. You're likely to get it eventually. And, when you do, look out. I'm more jealous of people who haven't turned on to Dylan than anyone else. I'd give anything to experience his entire catalogue again for the first time. Have a good old time, X110.
FlyWilliams, Batman Jones Hmmm... interesting. Your responses got me thinking... I may need to start a thread. Thanks for the response.
Bob Dylan is like Mark Twain, Woody Guthrie, Rimbaud (both of them), Walt Whitman, Odetta, John Steinbeck, Hank Williams, Charlie Chaplin, John Cassavetes, Leadbelly, God and Donavan (insert "Don't Look Back" joke here) rolled into one. If Issac Newton were coming to town to give a physics lecture (with Aldo Nova opening up for him, naturally) you'd go to see him if you like gravity. This is much the same with Bob Dylan.
D of D, I used to have a similar opinion, but then a friend gave me the gateway album. I'm sure more experienced Dylan-o-philes will argue the point covincingly along different vectors, but for me "DESIRE" (released circa 1975?) changed my viewpoint entirely. On top of that, the song "To Romona" is also particularly amazing to virtually all listeners. Just the way the lyrics work with the melody in that one will show you something different, I think. And Elvis C, WTF with Aldo Nova! As a Newton afficianado, I cringe! I know I am missing a joke here.
Congrats on finally being able to see him.... The real question is, will you be able to understand him?
Dylan is fantastic. And he's a much better life performer than he's given credit for. I'm sure you'll have a great time. I don't think Dylan is an acquired taste. I think, though, that there are "entry-level" Dylan songs, and others. Rolling Stone, Along the Watch Tower, Mr. Tambourine Man, and Tangled up in Blue can be enjoyed by anybody. Yeah, his voice sucks... but no cover has ever been the same, musically, as Dylan's originals. And IMO, most are far inferior in terms of interpretation. Those songs are fun, rhythmic, easy to sing along to. Other albums take more time to get used to, particularly his most recent two. Both Time out of Mind, and Love & Theft are excellent albums... but you might not think so if you're just starting to listen to Dylan. And of course, his early 80's stuff is mostly mediocre, regardless of how much you liek the rest of it.
It's not a very good joke, but it's a joke. I just like to mention Aldo Nova as much as possible. Also, Aldo toured with Steven Hawking in the '80's.
Dr. of Dunk- Everyone else in this thread has pretty much explained why I like Dylan. But aside from that, the man is just a brilliant musician and performer. It's worth the price of admission just to see him play his harmonica. Even if you can't understand his words half the time, his music is brilliant. He also has a great band backing him up. But I like his voice. Don't ask me why, I just do. I guess it's because I grew up in a household where Dylan was always playing. Just realize that Bob hasn't always had the rough voice he has now. Try listening to a song from Nashville Skyline. That is one of my favorite albums.
Okay okay. That's actually pretty funny. That band was terrifying. And do you mean they toured with MC Hawking? MC Hawking
Apparently at the Minnesota concert last week he didn't play the harmonica at all much to the chagrin of many in attendance.
Has anyone ever seen the old skit they used to do on SNL during the news. This is back in the Dennis Miller days. They'd have Tom Petty and Bob Dylan (Carvey did Petty, not sure I remember who did Dylan) report some stories. Priceless. Couldn't understand a word.
Random responses to various comments above, as I like talking bout Dylan more than just about anything else... Re: Gateway albums. I agree on Desire. Hurricane was my little brother's gateway song. If that doesn't work try either Bringing It All Back Home or Blood on the Tracks. Very different sorts of songs, but both good entry points. ZRB: His Nashville Skyline voice was a result of the only time in his career he'd quit smoking for an extended period of time. Self Portrait's got the same flavor. Dylan's not really playing harp on this tour. Maybe one song max. But he is playing electric piano for the first time in years. Plus he's playing some of the weirdest covers ever (for him anyway): Brown Sugar, The End of the Innocence, Old Man (N. Young) and several Zevon tunes. Also interesting to note that Dylan almost never talks to the crowd (this bugs people as much or more than the harmonica thing), except to introduce the band. The two exceptions on this tour were his dedications of Times They Are A'Changing to Paul Wellstone. The first time he played after Wellstone's death he said, "This song is for a great man and a great Senator." The night of the memorial he was playing in St. Paul (where Coleman was mayor) and he said Times was for "my man who came to his end in Eveleth" (or something like that). There have been some bizarre Dylan interludes in the Wellstone-Coleman-Mondale race, but I've gone on long enough on this. Go to expectingrain.com if interested. Just my opinion, but I thought Carvey's Dylan was easy and kind of lame. For the ultimate (and hilarious as hell) Dylan parody, check out the third track on Zappa's Sheik Your Booty record (I think the song's called Flakes, but I may be remembering that wrong). Adrian Belew does a perfect send-up. The voice, the lyrics, a very funny exchange with Zappa and a pathetic, whining harp solo.
Enjoy. He is the greatest songwriter who ever lived. A true living legend if there ever was one. Those who go to hear a great singer are missing the point entirely.
I have seen Dylan live several times. IMHO his live shows are getting better and better. It's funny that you mention how little he talks during his shows. As far as I can remember, I only recall hearing him talk once. It was about 4 years ago, they used to turn down the stage lights after every song (musicians changing instruments, getting refreshment...etc) The stage was dark and suddenly you hear Dylan say "This is a song about...(long pause)... me." The lights came on, the band kicked it into gear and Dylan began to sing "There must be some kinda way outta hear, said the joker to the thief..." His voice may not be what it used to be, but the band is awesome and you get to see a legend. A man who changed music forever. There will never be another like him (many have tried and failed).
